Assessment of the Effect of Different Planting Dates on the Growth and Yield of Maize in Kano State

Planting date is a critical management factor that determines the alignment of crop growth stages with favourable climatic conditions, and its optimisation for maize production in the Sudan savanna agroecological zone of northern Nigeria requires localised investigation. This study assessed the effect of five planting dates on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Bayero University Kano during the 2023 rainy season using a randomised complete block design with three replications. Maize variety SAMMAZ 15 was planted on 15 May, 1 June, 15 June, 1 July, and 15 July. Growth parameters including plant height, leaf area index, and days to 50 percent tasseling were recorded. Yield and yield components (cob length, grain rows per cob, 100-grain weight, and grain yield) were measured at harvest. Results showed that the 1 June planting date produced the highest grain yield of 4.82 tonnes per hectare, followed by 15 May at 4.61 tonnes per hectare. The 15 July planting date produced the lowest yield at 2.14 tonnes per hectare, attributed to end-of-season moisture deficit coinciding with grain filling. Planting date significantly influenced all measured parameters (p < 0.05). The study concludes that 1 June is the optimal planting date for maize in the study area and recommends that farmers adopt this timing to maximise grain yield and minimise moisture stress impacts during critical crop development stages.